Staff writer
After Marion City Council accepted the resignation of Angela Lange from the Marion Planning Commission Monday, Mayor Mary Olson did not want to rush and immediately appoint another representative.
Olson asked anyone interested in serving on the planning commission to come forward for consideration.
The appointment of city economic development director Doug Kjellin was on the agenda but Olson said she didn’t want to appoint Kjellin “today.” She said she wanted Kjellin to attend the meetings as a city representative. Planning commission chairman Roger Schwab asked if Kjellin would be compensated for serving on the planning commission. He then quoted the state statute which doesn’t allow commission members to be compensated. Kjellin indicated that if he served, he would do so as a volunteer and not expect compensation.
Discussion followed regarding the structure of the board. It was explained that the bylaws require five members live within the city limits and two live within a three-mile radius of the city. Currently there is only one rural representative. Lange lives within the city limits so the council asked for clarification from the planning commission regarding the open position.
In other business:
- Auditor Jan Nolde of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd of McPherson, presented the 2007 audit report. Segregation of duties continues to be a problem for the city as with other smaller cities and a limited number of employees. Otherwise, the auditors did not find any statutory violations or points of concern.
- The council approved updates to the Marion Police Department Employee Manual.
- A payment of $12,825 was paid to Kirkham Michael for engineering work on the Cedar Street/Eisenhower Road project.
- A payment of $1,000 was paid to Ranson Financial Service for administrative services.
- A resolution to endorse transportation improvements for the city through Kansas Legislature was approved.
- An electrical license was approved for Kent Linnebur of Linnebur Electric Inc of Wichita.
- Tyler Mermis was introduced as a Marion police officer.
- The next regular meeting of the council is at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the city building.